Matthew was burning with rage. He knew he had to get some sort of revenge, show Jared the wannabe CEO what it took to be a real business mogul. But he also knew the kid wasn't just all talk, he could bite as well and bite hard. He was still very much determined to make Jared regret crossing paths with him but he knew he had to be very smart with his tactics.Kirby sat beside him in the fancy living room. She used her hands to massage his shoulders, easing up all the pent up tension and anger. Matthew's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he melted into her grip.“Had a long day, babe?” Kirby asked.“You can say that again.” Matthew sighed.“What's up?” Kirby asked. When she noticed he was relaxed enough, she carefully slipped into his laps, “busy day at the office?”“Yeah…” Matthew said. As much as he wanted to rant to Kirby about everything he couldn't help but remember the NDA he had signed.“What about the internship, baby?” Kirby asked, lightly touching his cheek, “were you

The café sat just across the street from the university gates, a popular off-campus hangout where students pretended they weren’t still very much under the school’s social microscope. It was late afternoon, the sun dipping low enough to cast long shadows across the pavement, and the place buzzed with idle chatter, clinking cups, and the hum of entitlement that followed LAU students wherever they went.Becky sat at one of the outdoor tables, her fingers wrapped tightly around an iced latte she hadn’t touched in ten minutes.Brad sat across from her, leaning back in his chair, one ankle resting on his knee. Jared stood beside the table, scrolling through his phone but clearly only half-focused. Since the incident in class, Becky had been quieter than usual. The humiliation still clung to her like a second skin, no matter how much she told herself she didn’t care.“You know,” Brad said lightly, trying to ease the tension, “if Kirby thinks strawberry milkshakes are an effective intimidati

Brad caught up to Becky just as she reached the parking lot behind the café. The farther they got from the street, the quieter everything became—the hum of traffic fading into the background, replaced by the dull buzz of overhead lights and the occasional slam of a car door.“Becky,” Brad called gently.She didn’t turn around. Her shoulders were tense, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as if she were holding something together by sheer force of will.Brad slowed his steps when he reached her, careful not to crowd her. “Hey,” he said softly. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here.”She shook her head once, a sharp, jerky movement. “I’m fine.”Brad didn’t argue. He simply opened the back door of his car and gestured toward it. “Just sit for a minute. You don’t have to talk.”Becky hesitated, her jaw tightening. Then, as if whatever strength she had left finally gave out, she nodded and slid into the back seat.The moment the door shut, the dam broke.She folded in on herself, hands f

The sky outside Jared’s penthouse window had darkened completely by the time his phone finally buzzed.He was standing near the glass, city lights stretching endlessly beneath him, one hand in his pocket, the other resting against the cool surface of the window. He hadn’t moved much since getting back. The day had settled into him like a weight—Becky’s voice, her disappointment, the way she’d walked away without looking back.The vibration pulled him from his thoughts.Brad:She got home safely.Jared closed his eyes briefly, releasing a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.Jared:Thank you.A pause followed. Jared stared at the screen, thumb hovering. Jared:How was she?The response didn’t come immediately.When it did, it was short.Brad:Tired. Still upset. But she’ll be okay.Jared sank onto the edge of the couch, elbows braced against his knees. He scrubbed a hand over his face.Jared:I screwed up.This time, Brad replied faster.Brad:You didn’t screw up.You just didn’t

Becky stared up at the glass-front boutique like it might suddenly disappear if she blinked.Then she blinked.It didn’t.She slowly turned her head toward Brad, eyes wide. “Brad.”“Yes?” he replied innocently, hands in his pockets.“You brought me to a boutique.”Brad nodded once. “Observant.”“This is not just any boutique,” she continued, scanning the minimalist signage, the carefully styled mannequins, the soft golden lighting spilling onto the sidewalk. “This is the kind of boutique where the dresses have names instead of price tags.”Brad snorted. “Relax. It’s not that bad.”She looked at him flatly. “There’s a security guard inside.”“For the clothes,” he said. “Not for you.”She crossed her arms, still staring. “How did you know shopping would make me feel better?”Brad shrugged. “I grew up with sisters.”Her expression softened immediately. “Say no more.”He opened the door for her with a dramatic flourish. “After you, birthday girl.”She paused mid-step. “You remembered.”Br